Check-light signal



Dec. 16, 1930. o. A. ROSS CHECK LIGHT SIGNAL Filed July 14, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Osca r A Ross MSATTORNEY. 1

Dec. 16, 1930. o. A. ROSS CHECK LIGHT SIGNAL Filed July 14. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6.

FIG. 3.

INVENTOR Osca r A. Ros Ma/wa- ATTQRNEY. J

Patented Dec. 16, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OSCAR A. ROSS, OF NEW YORK, Y., LSSIGNOR' TO GENERAL RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, 01 ROCHESTER,- NEW YORK CHECK-LIGHT SIGNAL Applicationflled July 14,

This invention relates in general to railway signal systems, and has more particular reference to a color. light signal providedwith a blinking or flashing check signal for indicating any failure.

In the use of color light signals, or for that matter any type of light signal, in railway signalling practiee,'one of the greatest dangers is that caused by the failure of one or more of the lamp filaments. If a filament fails, a dark signal results, and in such circumstances an engineer is very liable to miss the signal altogether and run past the same with possible resultant danger.

With the above and other objects in view, it is'proposed in accordance'with this invention toprovide a color light signal with a blinking or flashing check light to thereby indicate any failure on the part of the light signal.

More particularly, it is proposed in one form of the invention, to provide a separate check light arranged so that it willflas'h upon failure of the signal indication which is at that time supposed to be energized, and also cause a like, or slower, flashing of the stop si al light.

n another form of the invention, instead of employing a separate check light, the check light 1s included in the stop lamp as a separate filament therein, the stop lamp being a two filament lamp.

In a still further form of the invention, the check light is entirely omitted and the check on a failure is indicated by a flashing of the stop lamp, in every case except in a danger block, the assumption'being that a failure is most likely to occur in the proceed lamp, as this is used much more than any of the others.

Further objects, purposes, and characteristic features of the invention will appear as the description progresses, reference being had to the accom anying drawing,.showing, solely by way 0 example, and not in any manner in a limiting sense, several forms which this invention can assume. In the drawing Fi 1 is a wholly diagrammatic view of one form of applicants invention wherein 1928. Serial m5. 292,752.

the check relay employed in the form of invention shown in Fig. 1- and the forms employed in all the other figures yet to be described.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of another form ofapplicants invention wherein the check relay controls the track relay and is connected in series with the check light.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of the form of invention of Fig. 1, with the sole change that the check light, instead of being aseparate lamp, is comprised by a second filament in the stop lamp.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of the form of invention of Fig. 3, with the sole exception that the check light, instead of being a separate lamp, is comprised by a second filament in the stop lamp.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of another form of the invention wherein the check relay does not control the track relay, and said check relay is not in series with the check light.

Fig.7 is a fragmentary diagrammatic viewof another form of applicants invention wherein the check relay does not control the track relay, and said check relay is in series with the check light.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of another form of applicants invention wherein the check light is omitted and the check relay controls the track relay.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to Fig. 1, there is here shown a stretch of track comprising track rails l which are separated by insulating joints 2 into electrically insulated blocks A, B, C and D.

Inasmuch as the various parts at each signal location are duplicated at every other location, like parts are identified by like reference characters with distinguishing exponents. Also, for simplicity in explanation, a usual convention is followed of using the letters B and C to represent opposite terminals ofa source or sources of electrical energy.

Located at the entrance to each block, the normal direction of traflic being as indicated by the arrow, is a signal S shown in the pres- .ent case as a color light signal and comprising nals could equally well be employed in this invention, such for example as position-light signals, and other types of signals such as semaphore signals could also be'employed in this connection, the invention not being limited to the particular form shown in the drawings merely by way of example.

Positioned at each signal location is a check relay CR, having contact fingers 3 and 4, the check relay here employed being of the usual tractive type and non-polarized, a polar track relay TB of the two element type and either a vane or motor type, having a local phase winding 5 and a track phase winding connected across the track rails by wires 6 and 7.

Assume now that the signal light G at the entrance to block B which is supposed to be energized since this is a clear block, has its filament broken, burned out or the like. This failure of the clear lamp de-energizes check' relay. CR which is normally energized through a circuit including the relay CR wires 13 14 and 15 lamp G wire 16 and contact finger 8 in its normal position. De-

energization of relay CR causes retraction of its two contact fingers 3 and 4 the contact finger 3 operating to de-energize the local phase winding 5 of the track relay TR and to energize the check light CK through circuits which are obvious from the drawing. The finger 4 of the check relay in released position re-energizes check relay CR through a circuitobvious from the drawing, to thereby pick this relay up again and thereby de-energize the check lamp OK. This cycle is repeated over and over and thus check light 0K blinks or flashes and so indi- The track relay has contact fingers 8, 9 and cates the failure of the clear lamp.

10 operable to the right or to the left to normal or reverse position in the usual manner and assuming a vertical or pendant position when the relay is de-energized.

The block D is indicated as occupied by a train by the wheels and axle 11 thus making block D a danger block, block 0 a caution block and a block B a clear block. In the well known manner, the contact finger 8 of relay TR controls the stop caution and proceed lamps respectively when in deenergized posi-' tion, in reverse position, and in normal position; while the contact fingers 9 and 10 operate as pole changers and control the polarity of current to the track phase of the track relay for the block immediately to the rear, in accordance with traflic conditions. For example, in Fig. 1, with the block D a danger block, relay TR is de-energized thus energizing the signal lamp R through a circuit including finger 8 and obvious from the drawing, and

placing energy on the track circuit for the block C of what may be termed reverse polarity, to thereby energize relay TR to its shown reverse position.

Relay TB in reverse position controls, by its contact finger 8 the caution lamp Y and by means of its contact fingers 9 and l0 the track circuit for the block B to place thereon current of what may be termed normal polarity to thereby energize track relay TR to its shown normal position. Track relay TR in normal position thus energizes the clear or proceed lamp G by means of its contact finger 8 and places current of normal polarity on the track circuit of block A.

Coming now to what more particularly concerns the present invention, the check light CK of signal S is normally de-energized, the check relay CR is normally energized, and the signal light G is also energized, as

is obvious from the drawing.

The de-energization of the local phase is adjusted to release at substantially the same I rate as the track relay TR, it will be seen that de-energization of CR due to failure of the lamp Gr de-energizes the track relay TR and causes its contact finger 8 to assume its pendent position and thereby energize the danger lamp R through a circuit obvious in the drawing. Since check relay OR is in series with each one of the signai lamps R Y and G the check relay is re-energized thereby, unless it has already been re-ener gized through its own contact fingerP in released position. The re-energization of check relay CR operates to re-energize the local phase 5 of the track relay through contact finger 3 in raised position, to thereby move, (if the, section of this track relay be unoccupied) contact finger 8 of the track relay to normal position and de-energize the stop lamp R Thus, with the timing of the two relays CR and TR substantially the same, a failure of the signal'lamp G when it is supposed to be energized, results in an alternate flashing of the check lamp 0K and of the stop lamp R the rate of flashing of the two lamps being substantially equal.

Assume now that the tractive type relay GR is considerably faster acting than is the motor type or vane type relay T'R Under such conditions de-energization of winding 5 of the track relay does not cause it to immediately move its contact fingers to pendent position, and it is only after several complete oscillations ofthe' contact fingers 3 and 4 of the check relay CR that the contact finger 8% reaches its pendent position and thus energizes the stop lamp R and also the check relay CR which is in series therewith. It is clear that with the check relay finger 3 oscillating, the percentage of time during which this finger is in contact with its front point is fairly small, andthe winding .5 of the'track relay is so adjusted that this percentage of time during which it is energized is insuflicient to maintain its contact fingers away from their pendent positions. As a result it is clear that with the check relay faster acting than the track relay, there results a relatively rapid flashing of the check light GK and a relatively slow flashing of the stop light R.

It is of course within the spirit of this invention to have the timing of the action of the check relay and the track relay bear any relation desired and in order that this may be accomplished a means is provided for adjusting the timing of the check relay as is shown in Fig. 2. Referring to this figure, one means is shown for retarding the action of the relay, comprising employing a dash pot 17 having an adjusting valve 18 for varymg the retarding effect of the dash pot, the

arrangement shown allowing free movement of the contact fingers toward attracted position, but retarding their movement towards retracted position. If found desirable it is contemplated to provide retarding means for retarding the movement of the contact fingers in both directions. By operating the adjusting valve 18, the check relay CR employed in the form of invention shown in Fig. 1, and in all the other forms. of invention still to be described, can be made as slow acting as, or even slower acting than, the track relay TB, in either one or both directions of movement, and by opening the valve 18 wide enough, practically all retardation effect can be removed to thereby permit the check relay to act more quickly than the track relay, this because the check relay is inherently more rapid in action than is the track relay.

From the above it appears that the failure of any one of the signal lights R, Y or G, when such signal light should be energized, results in energization of the check relay and a subsequent de-energization of the track relay. Also, depending upon the timing of the check relay and track relay, there will result a flashing of the check light anda flashing at substantially the same rate, or at a slower rate, of the stop light R, except of 'course in the case of a failure of the stop light'R in a danger block. Under these conditions, that is if light R in block D should fail, there results a flashing of the check light CK but not of'course of the light R since this light has failed. This flashing or blinking check indication of a failure of the usual signal continues during all the time the block is in the condition normally indicated b the lamp that has failed, that is, if the r lamp fails the flashing continues all the time the block is clear until the G lamp is re laced.

Summarizing the effects of the relative timing of the check relay and the track relay, by proper adjustment it is of course clear that the check relay can act. more rapidly than the track relay, can act substantially at the same rate as the track'relay, or can act more slowly than the track relay. It should also be borne in mind that the relays are so selected and adjusted. that when the check relay acts more rapidly than the track relay, the local phase winding of the track relay is sufiiciently de-energized during bobbing of the check relay to permit its contact fingers to assume the pendent position, and that when the check relay acts more slowly than the track relay, the check relay becomes deenergized during bobbing of the track relay.

From the above discussion it results that when the check relay acts more quickly than the track relay the check light will give a .relatively rapid flashing and the stoplight R will give a slower flashing; when the check relay acts at substantially the same rate as does the track relay, the check light and the stop light will alternately flash at substantially the same rate; and finally, when the check relay acts more slowly than does the track relay, the check light will give a relatively slow flashing while the stop light R will flash more rapidly.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the form of invention herein shown is very similar to that shown in Fig. 1, the only difference being that the check lamp CK is connected in series with the winding of the check relay CR, whereby the contact finger 3 of the check relay in retracted position not only energizes the check lamp as in Fig. 1. but also re-energizes the check relay itself. Thus this arrangement obviates the need for the check r'elay pickup finger 4 of Fig. 1. Thus the form shown in Fig. 3 differs from that of Fig. 1 only in omitting the pick up finger 4 of Fig. 1 together with its pick up circuit for the check relay. and connecting the check relay in series with the check light. The operation of the form shown in Fig. 3 is otherwise exactly the same as described in connection with Fig. 1. and the resulting flashing check, upon a failure of one of the signal lamps is, in the same manner, dependent for its character upon the relative timing of the two relays CR and TR.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the form of invention herein shown is identical with that of Fig. 1 with the sole exception that the check light which in Fig. l, is shown as a separate lamp CK is in Fig. 4 included as a second filament in the danger lamp R. and is identified as CK. The connection and arrangement of parts and the-operation thereof is in every other respect identical with Fig. 1.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the form of invention herein shown is identical with that of Fig. 3 with the sole exception that the check light which, in Fig. 3, is shown as a separate clamp (3K is in Fig. 5 included as a second filament in the danger lamp R and is identified as OK. The connection and arrangement of parts and the operation thereof is in every other respect identical with Fig. 3.

Referring now to Fig. 6, the form of invention herein .shown differs from that shown in Fig. --1 only in that the contact finger 3? of check-relay CR does not control, in any manner whatsoever the local phase winding 5 of track relay TR. Thus the de-energization of the check relay CR by failure of a signal lamp which is supposed to be energized, results in a blinking check signal caused by the check light CK but the check relay not controlling the track relay, no flashing of the stop lamp R results. In this respect the operation differs from what has been described above in connection with the other forms. The rate of quick acting.

flashing of the check lamp 0K depends of course upon the rate of operation of the check relay, and will be more or less rapid according as the check relay is more or less the confines of this invention to employ a:

double filament lamp, such as in the show ings of Figs. 4 and -5, if desired, in connec-' tion with the forms shown in Figs. Sand 7, or for that matter in connection with any other of the forms, already described, or still to be described.

. Referring now. to Fig. 8, the form of invention therein shown differs from that shown in Fi 3 in that the check light is omitted, the c eck relay CR controlling the track relay TR iand the track relay in turn controlling the stop signal R as described above. As a-result, on failure of a signal .lamp which should be energized, the-signal lamp R flashes and thus indicates the failure. This will take place in connection with a failure of any signal lamp except the stop lamp R Thus, with this form of invention, a failure of the lamp R in a danger block will not result in any check indication,

-but this is not believed to be a serious defect since the-lamp VB111 is much less likely to fail than is the lamp G which is energized a much greater percentage of the total time than is the lamp R 4 It is to be understood that the various forms of invention described above are merely given by way of example, and that all of the possible combinations of the various elements have not been shown or described. It is within the purview of this invention to employ these various features in any combination such as is obvious from the present specification. For example, it is within the spirit of this invention to combine the following features-in any desired manner, namely: that of using either a separate check lamp or including itas a second filament in any one of the regular signal lamps; that of adjusting the check relay to operate with a speed bearing various relations to that of the track relay; that of having the check relay control the track relay or not control the track relay while omitting or not omitting a separate check light.

In connection with the control of thetrack relay, the check relay operates to open the local phase winding rather than the track phase winding, and since the local phase winding normally carries much more energy than does the track phase winding, a more rapid response of the track relay is had, due to the opening of this local phase than would result if the track phase were opened, and also a much more reliable'operation is secured.

The above rather" specific description of various forms of this invention, are given solely by way of example, and are not intended, in any manner whatsoever, in a limiting sense. Obviously, the invention can assume various different physical forms, and is suszeptible of numerous modifications, and all such forms and modifications, are intended to be'covered by this application as. come within the scope of the'appended claims.

Having described my invention, I now claim -1; In a railway signalling system, in com-- bination, a signal including a plurality of indications governed in accordance with traffic conditions ahead, a check signal for indieating a signal failure, and means for caus- 'ing an intermittent operationof said check signal upon failure of an indication of said,

signal when such indication shouldbe active.

2. In a railway signalling system, in combination, a signal including a plurality of indications including a stop indication governed in accordance with trafiic conditions ahead, a check signal for indicating-a signal failure, and means for causing an intermittent operation of said check signal, and also said stop indication, upon failure of an indi-- bination, a light signal having a plurality of indicationsand governed in accordance with traflic conditions ahead, a check light, and means for causing a flashing of said check light upon failure of an indication of said light signal when said indication ought to be energized.

4. In a signal system for railways, in combination, alight signal having a plurality of indications and governed in accordance with traific conditions ahead, a check light, and means for causin a flashing of said check light and one indication of said light signal, upon failure of an indication of said light signal when said indication ought to be energized.

5. In a signal system for railways, in combination, a light signal having a plurality of indications including a stop indication, a track rela controlled in accordance with traflic con 'tions ahead and controllin said light signal, and a check relay controlFed by said light signal and in turn controlling said track relay, whereby failure of an indication of said light signal, during the time said indication should be energized, causes a flashing of said stop indication.

6. In a signal system of railways, in com bination, a light si nal having a plurality of indications, a trac relay controlled in accordance with traflic conditions and controllin said light signal, and a check relay contro led by said light signal and in turn controlling said track relay, whereby failure of an indication of said light si al during the time that the indication shou d be ener 'zed causes a flashing of another indication 0 said light signal.

7. In a signal system for railways, in combination, a light signal having a plurality of indications including a stop indication, a check signal, a track relay controlled in accordance with trafiic conditions and controllin said light signal and said check signal, an a check relay controlled by said light signal and said check signal and in turn controllin said track relay, whereby failure of an indlcation of said light signal, during the time such indication should be energized, causes a flashing of said stop indication.

8. In a signal system, for railways, in combination,- a light signal having a plurality of v indications, a check light signal, a track relay controlled in accordance with traific conditions and controlling said light signal and said check signal, and a check relay controlled by said light signal and said check 9. In a signal system for railways, in combination, a light si al having a plurality of indications, a chec light signal, a track relay controlled in accordance with trafic conditions and controlling said light si nal and said check signal, and a check re ay controlled by said light signal'and said check signal, whereby failure of an indication of said light signal during the time suchindication should be energized causes a flashing of said check signal.

10. In a railway signal system, in combination, a plural indication color light signal including a stop lamp, a track relay controlled in accordance with traffic conditions ahead and in turn controlling said signal, a check relay having an energizing circuit including the signal indications in multiple and a contact finger of said track relay, and a control circuit for said track relay including a front point of said check relay, whereb to cause a check flashing of said stop signa on failure of an indication during the time such indication should be energized.

11. In a railway signal system in combi nation, a plural indication color light signal including a stop lam a check li ht signal, a track relay contro ed in accor ance with traffic conditions ahead and in turn controlling said signal, and a check relay controlling said check light signal and having an energizing' circuit including the signal indications in multiple and a contact fin er of said track relay, whereby to cause a ashing of said check signal upon failure of a signal indication when such indication should be energized.

12. In combination, a wayside color light signal for railways, including a clear, a caution, and a danger lamp, a check lamp, a track relay controlled in accordance with trafiic conditions ahead and controlling said light signal, a check relay for energizing said check lamp, and itself picked up through aback point of the chec relay, a normal energizing circuit for said check relay including the sepa'ratelamps of said light signal and corresponding points of said track relay, in multiple, and a control circuit for said track relay including a front point of said check relay, whereby to cause a flashing of said check lamp and said danger lamp, upon a failure of said clear or caution lamp, when such lamp should be energized, and of said check lamp upon failure of said danger lamp when said danger lamp should be energized.

13. In combination, a wayside color light signal for railways, including a clear, a cau tion, and a danger lamp, a check lamp, 9. track relay controlled in accordance with traflic conditions ahead and controlling said light signal, a check relay for energizing said check lamp, and itself picked up through a back point of said check relay, a normal energizmg circuit for said check relay including the separate lamps respectively of said light signal and corresponding points of said track relay, in multiple, and a control circuit for said track relay including a front point of said check rela whereby to cause a flashing of said chec lamp and said danger lamp,

upon a failure of said clear or caution lamp,

when such lamp should be ener ized, and of said check lamp upon failure 0 said danger lamp when said danger lamp should be energized, and means for adjusting the relative rate of action of said check and track relays, whereby to vary the relative flashing of said check and danger-lamps.

14. In a railway signalling system, in combination, a signal including an indication governed in accordance with traffic conditions ahead, a check signal for indicating a signal failure, and means for causing an intermittent operation of said check signal upon failure of the indication of said signal when such indication should be active.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

OSCAR A. ROSS. 

